Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a medicament through an artificial airway connected to a patient ventilation/aspiration system without breaking the ventilation circuit comprises a manifold with an interior chamber communicating with first, second and third ports. The manifold is structured and arranged to maintain an uninterrupted ventilation pathway between the first and second ports and to provide a travel path for a suction catheter between the second and third ports, the second port being adapted for connection to the artificial airway. The apparatus further includes a catheter assembly, including a catheter with a lumen, positioned within a protective sleeve and slidable through a distal end fixture connected to the third port. The catheter assembly is structured and arranged to permit advancement of the distal end of the catheter through the manifold and artificial airway. A syringe and a suction control valve are interchangeably connectable to the proximal end of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position.

Abstract: A gas delivery system, having a gas identification, by which a gas supplied to the gas delivery system is identified, a blender, blending oxygen and the gas to provide a gas mixture with an oxygen flow rate set up by an operator, and at least one flow sensor, to measure a flow rate of the gas mixture. The blender is driven by an actuator motor to various blender positions with the blender positions being calibrated based on the specific heat ratio and the gas constant of the gas. The flow sensor can be installed at the inspiratory circuit, the proximal circuit and the expiratory circuit of the gas delivery system. The flow sensor output is corrected based on the actual conditions, including the temperature, pressure and humidity, and characteristics of the gas mixture.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an inhalation device for dispensing medicament comprising a body (150), the body being shaped for receipt of a medicament carrier (286); and an actuator (10) having a mouthpiece (20), the actuator being reversibly movable between a dispensing position and a storage position; wherein the body includes an air channel (253), and the actuator includes an air hole (225) such that the air channel communicates with the air hole when the actuator is in the dispensing position and the air channel and air hole do not communicate when the actuator is in the storage position.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a support member sized and configured to span at least a portion of a patient's face while remaining below the patient's eyes responsive to the patient interface device being donned by such a patient. A sealing assembly is attached to the support member via a snap assembly associated with the support member and the sealing assembly. The snap assembly allows the sealing assembly to selectively attach to the support member.

Abstract: The invention is a ventilator whose servo-controller adjusts the degree of support by adjusting the profile of the pressure waveform as well as the pressure modulation amplitude. As the servo-controller increases the degree of support by increasing the pressure modulation amplitude, it also generates a progressively more square, and therefore efficient, pressure waveform; when the servo-controller decreases the degree of support by decreasing the pressure modulation amplitude, it also generates a progressively more smooth and therefore comfortable pressure waveform.

Abstract: A rapid measuring system for the determination of the concentration of propofol in the respiratory flow, which can be designed in a compact form, has the features of a breathing gas line (1) including a breathing gas sensor (2) detecting the respiration, wherein the breathing gas sensor (2) is connected to an evaluating unit (3), a propofol sensor (5) with a downstream pump (6) is in gas flow connection with the breathing gas line (1), wherein the evaluating unit (3) is connected with the propofol sensor (5) and the pump (6), so that the evaluating unit (3) actuates the pump (6) for breathing gas sampling depending on the signal of the breathing gas sensor (2), and the propofol sensor (5) sends a measured signal for the concentration of propofol in the breathing gas to the evaluating unit (3).

Abstract: An aerosol medication delivery apparatus include a holding chamber having an input end and an output end and defining an interior space. In one embodiment, the holding chamber is antistatic and is made of a plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. In another embodiment, a component, such as a backpiece or mouthpiece, separate from the holding chamber, is antistatic and is made of a material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. The component is connected to the holding chamber, which may or may not be antistatic. In one embodiment, the component is made of an elastomeric material. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the holding chamber and/or component is see-through. Various methods for introducing an aerosol into the holding chamber at the input end thereof and inhaling the aerosol through the output end are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed endotracheal tube includes a silicone tubular member that has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the member to supply air from the proximal end to the distal end. The tubular member defines a first zone and a second zone. At least a portion of the first zone has a first outer diameter. The second zone has a second outer diameter. The first outer diameter is less than the second outer diameter. The first and second zones are adjacent to one another and are configured for insertion into the trachea of a human patient. A silicone cuff is attached to the tubular member such that the cuff extends over at least a portion of the first zone. The silicone cuff is mounted such that when the cuff is inflated in a trachea, the cuff reaches its plateau pressure prior to circumferentially contacting the inner wall of the trachea so that an accurate pressure reading may be taken of the pressure the cuff exerts on an inner wall of the trachea.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube for insertion into a patient's trachea includes a drug delivery feature and is formed of an elongated body having a proximal end for connection to a ventilator device and an opposing distal end with a bore formed therein and terminating in at least one ventilation opening. The tube also has at least one drug delivery conduit formed in the elongated body and terminating at one end with a proximal opening and at an opposite end with a distal opening. The proximal opening is adapted to be fluidly connected to a drug delivery device adapter, wherein the at least one drug delivery conduit is separated from the bore along its entire length thereof from the proximal opening to the distal opening. The distal opening is formed at the distal end of the elongated body and is located closer to the distal end than the ventilation opening.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device, a headgear, and coupling member joining the interface device to a headgear. In one embodiment, a spring biases the interface device against the face during use. In a further embodiment, the patient interface device is a nasal cushion having a formable support mounted to the nasal cushion for providing support and adjustment of the nasal cushion to improve fit and comfort. The headgear assembly in one embodiment is a semi-rigid, minimal contact harness and includes an adjustment assembly that allows for a simultaneous adjustment of multiple straps. An adjustment assembly on the headgear provides a gross adjustment of the position of the interface relative to the patient and a biasing force to urge the patient interface device against the patient's face. In a further embodiment, a pair of rigid connecting members couple the patient interface device to the headgear.

Abstract: An integrally molded ventilation interface includes a hollow bellows-like structure and two nasal prongs extending from a top surface of the bellows. A pair of headgear strap flanges can also be molded integrally with the ventilation interface. The nasal prongs provide a first sealing interface between an outer surface of the nasal prongs and an inner surface of the patient's nares. The bellows provides a second sealing interface between a top surface of the bellows-like structure and a bottom surface of a patient's nose. The headgear strap flanges provide a third sealing interface between the ventilation interface and a mustache region of the patient's face as well as a bottom surface of the patient's nose.

Abstract: A medical device clamping assembly includes proximal and distal axially aligned members. The proximal and distal members are movable relative to each other. A channel is defined through the members for receipt of at least a portion of a treatment device therethrough. A clamping member is configured between the proximal and distal members and defines a portion of the channel. The clamping member is actuated between an unclamped configuration and a clamped configuration by moving one of the distal or proximal members relative to the other. In its clamped position, the clamping member clamps upon and restricts axial movement of the treatment device through the assembly; however, the assembling may move on or within the treatment device and does not necessarily limit at least partial retraction of the device from a patient but rather only restricts insertion of the device beyond that point at which the assembly contacts a stopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable device for providing continuous passive motion of a limb comprising a brace for supporting said limb. A programmable motor, mechanically connected to the brace, provides continuous passive motion of a limb. The movement of the limb is controlled in two control points of movement at the lower arm. Flexible positioning means are provided with a fastening means positioning the brace and the programmable motor on the body of a person carrying said device in a stable position. The programmable motor is partially housed within the positioning means. The invention is particularly suitable for use in paramedical and orthopedic applications. It allows adduction and abduction, rotation and exo/endo rotation of a limb.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for delivering an additive with a continuous positive airway pressure (“CPAP”) machine. The invention includes mixing an additive with humidifier water and providing the additive to the patient with the CPAP machine. According to certain embodiments, the additive can be an aromatic additive or a therapeutic additive.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs) having part or all of their internal surfaces consisting of stainless steel, anodised aluminum or lined with an inert organic coating; and to compositions to be delivered with said MDIs.

Abstract: An exhalation breath-actuated nasal delivery device for and a method of delivering a substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece (40) for fitting to a nostril of a subject; a mouthpiece (42) through which the subject in use exhales; and delivery unit (64), as one of a mechanical delivery pump (66) or a nebulizer (115), for delivering a substance to the nosepiece (40); and an actuation mechanism (74) for actuating the delivery unit in response to oral exhalation through the mouthpiece, and preferably when at least one or both of the pressure at or the flow rate through the nosepiece exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A child-sized adaptor for a DPI or MDI is provided. Also provided is a patient feedback mechanism for signaling and/or teaching proper inhaler use.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body. Each side frame member includes an integrally formed first connector portion. A headgear assembly is removably attachable to the frame. The headgear assembly has a second connector portion adapted to be removably coupled with the first connector portion provided on the frame. The second connector portion is manually movable to a releasing position to detach the headgear assembly from the frame. The headgear assembly is rotationally adjustable with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A connector for resuscitating an infant or neonate is disclosed. The pressure is varied between Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP) and Peak End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) by the occlusion of the PEEP outlet. The PEEP outlet may either allow variable PEEP, by adjustment, or substantially flow independent fixed PEEP using a novel umbrella valve. A duck billed valve is included for suctioning of surfactant delivery during resuscitation. The connector is adapted to one handed use.